Alison Limerick

{{Short description|British singer}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}} {{Use British English|date=October 2016}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Alison Limerick | image = Alison Limerick Kongsberg Jazzfestival 2022 (220810).jpg | caption = Limerick on stage in 2022 | image_size = | birth_name = | alias = | birth_date = {{birth year and age|1959}} | death_date = | origin = Stepney, London, England | instrument = Vocals | genre = House, dance, dance-pop, pop, soul, jazz | occupation = Singer-songwriter | years_active = 1980–present | label = Arista/BMG, X-Es | associated_acts = The Style Council, This Mortal Coil, David Morales, Frankie Knuckles, The James Taylor Quartet | website = [https://alisonlimerick.com/ Official Website] | current_members = | past_members = }}

'''Alison T. Limerick''' (born 1959, Stepney) is a British singer-songwriter who scored success in the 1990s with the club anthem "Where Love Lives", which was her solo debut and a No. 3 hit on the U.S. Hot Dance Club Play in 1991.

==Biography== {{BLP sources section|date=June 2023}} Limerick attended the London School of Contemporary Dance and switched to a music career, first as a backing vocalist, in the 1980s.<ref name="AMG">{{cite web |url=https://www.allmusic.com/artist/alison-limerick-mn0000745124/biography|title=Artist Biography|first=Jason|last=Ankeny |publisher=AllMusic |access-date=13 February 2009}}</ref> She sang on Grand Union Orchestra's 1986 world jazz album ''The Song of Many Tongues'', written by Tony Haynes.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jazz|first=All About|title=Grand Union Orchestra: Grand Union Orchestra: The Song of Many Tongues album review @ All About Jazz|url=https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-song-of-many-tongues-by-duncan-heining.php|access-date=2020-11-11|website=All About Jazz|date=9 November 2014 |language=en}}</ref>

In 1989, she made a brief appearance as an African sorceress in Bob Rafelson's film, ''Mountains of the Moon''. She has also contributed to This Mortal Coil, singing on two of its albums: ''Filigree & Shadow'' (1986) and ''Blood'' (1991).<ref name="AMG"/> Another 4AD related contribution found her singing on the Pieter Nooten & Michael Brook album ''Sleeps with the Fishes'' (1987) on the song "Equal Ways." She appeared on Peter Murphy's album ''Holy Smoke'' and released her own first album in 1992.<ref name="AMG"/>

Limerick is best known for her 1990s club anthems, her most successful and best known track being "Where Love Lives," her only US release, which was originally a club success in 1991, and a UK Singles Chart No. 9 hit when remixed in 1996.<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/> Her 1992 hit "Make It on My Own" reached No. 16 in the UK chart. These tracks were included on the album ''And Still I Rise'', which was also released in 1992. Three further albums were released throughout the 1990s; ''With a Twist'', ''Club Classics'', and ''Spirit Rising''. The single "Put Your Faith in Me" came out in 1997.<ref name="AMG"/><ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums"/>

"Where Love Lives" has made three separate appearances in the US Hot Dance Club Play chart in 1991 (No. 3), 1996 (No. 4) and 2003 (No. 16).<ref name="DCS"/> None of her albums were released in the US. Limerick was the featured vocalist on the 1995 James Taylor Quartet album ''In the Hand of the Inevitable'', on the album's three solo vocal tracks. The tracks included the single "Love Will Keep Us Together" and the album remains the Acid Jazz label's biggest selling album.

Limerick has worked with many artists and songwriters such as George Michael, Courtney Pine and Lamont Dozier. In 1993 she sang backing vocals on M People's song "Melody of Life" from the album ''Elegant Slumming''. She appears in the British movie ''Collusion'' as the jazz singer and she is also notable as one of the (uncredited) singers heard performing the closing title song on each episode of ''Blackadder the Third''.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.howardgoodall.co.uk/works/tv-and-film/blackadder|title=Howard Goodall official site |publisher=Howardgoodall.co.uk |access-date=5 March 2017}}</ref>

She continues to record and perform live with Brooklyn Funk Essentials, for PAs, and with her own band. She can be heard singing soul and jazz, in various venues across Europe, and found being the Dance Diva in house music venues around the world performing her all-time classics like "Where Love Lives" and "Make It on My Own".

==Discography== ===Albums=== * ''And Still I Rise'' (1992) UK No. 53<ref name="British Hit Singles & Albums">{{cite book| first= David| last= Roberts| year= 2006| title= British Hit Singles & Albums| edition= 19th| publisher= Guinness World Records Limited| location= London| isbn= 1-904994-10-5| page= 322}}</ref> * ''With a Twist'' (1994) * ''Club Classics'' (1996) * ''Spirit Rising'' (1998)

===Singles=== {| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" |- !rowspan="2"|Year !rowspan="2"|Single !colspan="6"|Chart peaks !rowspan="2"|Certifications !rowspan="2"|Album !rowspan="2"|Ref. |- ! width="35"|EUR ! width="35"|UK ! width="35"|UK Dance ! width="35"|UK Club ! width="35"|SCO ! width="35"|US Dance |- | rowspan="1"|1990 ! scope="row"| "Where Love Lives" | || 87 || || 2 || || — | * BPI: Gold<ref name="BPI">{{cite certification|region=United Kingdom|artist=Alison Limerick|title=Where Love Lives|id=18051-5941-1|access-date=May 16, 2026}}</ref> |align="left" rowspan="6"|''And Still I Rise'' |<ref name="UK Singles">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/26596/alison-limerick/|title=Alison Limerick – UK Chart |publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=6 March 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/57779449@N02/52253725518/in/album-72177720300960079|title=The Record Mirror Club Chart|magazine=Record Mirror|volume=37|issue=50|date=15 December 1990|page=41|access-date=1 September 2025}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"|1991 ! scope="row"| "Where Love Lives (Come On In) '91" | 49 || 27 || 2 || 3 || || 3 | |<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1991/MM-1991-04-27.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|date=27 April 1991|page=33|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-04-06.pdf |title= Top 60 Dance Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 6 April 1991 |page= 20 |access-date= 13 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-04-27.pdf|title=The Record Mirror Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=27 April 1991|page=8|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="DCS">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/artist/278626/alison-limerick/chart?f=359 |title=Alison Limerick – US Dance Club Songs |magazine=Billboard |access-date=6 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161015121825/http://www.billboard.com/artist/278626/alison-limerick/chart?f=359|archive-date=15 October 2016}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Come Back (For Real Love)" | || 53 || 7 || 5 || || — | |<ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-10-12.pdf|title=Top 60 Dance Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=12 October 1991|page=26|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1991/MW-1991-10-26.pdf|title=The Record Mirror Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=26 October 1991|page=8|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3"|1992 ! scope="row"| "Make It on My Own" | 64 || 16 || 11 || 3 || || 6 | |<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1992/MM-1992-03-14.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|date=14 March 1992|page=23|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url= https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-02-29.pdf |title= Top 60 Dance Singles |magazine= Music Week |date= 29 February 1992 |page= 22 |access-date= 13 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-02-29.pdf|title=The Record Mirror Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=29 February 1992|page=8|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref name="DCS"/> |- ! scope="row"| "Gettin' It Right" | || 57 || 15 || 5 || || — | |<ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-07-18.pdf|title=Top 60 Dance Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=18 July 1992|page=20|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-07-25.pdf|title=The Record Mirror Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=25 July 1992|page=6|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Hear My Call" | || 73 || 12 || 63 || || — | |<ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-11-28.pdf|title=Top 60 Dance Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=28 November 1992|page=20|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1992/MW-1992-11-28.pdf|title=The Record Mirror Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=28 November 1992|page=6|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"|1994 ! scope="row"| "Time of Our Lives" | 93 || 36 || 3 || 5 || || — | |align="left" rowspan="2"|''With a Twist'' |<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-01-22.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|date=22 January 1994|page=13|access-date=14 May 2023|magazine=Music & Media}}</ref><ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-01-08.pdf|title=Dance Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=8 January 1994|page=12|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|title=The ''RM'' Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=18 December 1993|page=4|access-date=13 May 2023|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1993/Music-Week-1993-12-18.pdf}}</ref> |- ! scope="row"| "Love Come Down" | 95 || 36 || 7 || 8 || || — | |<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1994/MM-1994-03-26.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100|date=26 March 1994|page=20|access-date=13 May 2023|magazine=Music & Media}}</ref><ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-03-19.pdf|title=Dance Singles|magazine=Music Week|date=19 March 1994|page=22|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1994/Music-Week-1994-02-26.pdf|title=The ''RM'' Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=26 February 1994|page=10|access-date=15 May 2023}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2"|1996 ! scope="row"| "Where Love Lives '96" | 20 || 9 || 1 || 1 || 21 || 4 | |align="left" rowspan="2"|''Club Classics'' |<ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19960630/104/|title=Official UK Dance Singles Chart (30 June 1996-06 July 1996)|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-06-15.pdf|title=The ''RM'' Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=15 June 1996|page=6|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="DCS"/> |- ! scope="row"| "Make It on My Own '96" | 84 || 30 || 13 || 7 || 33 || — | |<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-and-Media/90s/1996/MM-1996-09-21.pdf|title=Eurochart Hot 100 Singles|magazine=Music & Media|date=21 September 1996|page=16|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19960908/104/|title=Official UK Dance Singles Chart (08 September 1996 - 14 September 1996)|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1996/Music-Week-1996-08-31.pdf|title=The ''RM'' Club Chart|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=31 August 1996|page=6|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19960908/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 (08 September 1996 - 14 September 1996)|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref> |- | rowspan="1"|1997 ! scope="row"| "Put Your Faith in Me" | || 42 || 23 || 6 || 52 || — | |align="left" rowspan="2"|''Spirit Rising'' |<ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/dance-singles-chart/19970817/104/|title=Official Dance Singles Chart Top 40 17 August 1997 - 23 August 1997|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/UK/Music-Week/1997/Music-Week-1997-07-05.pdf|title=The Club Chart 05.07.97|magazine=Music Week, in Record Mirror (Dance Update Supplemental Insert)|date=5 July 1997|page=7|access-date=7 September 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/19970817/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 17 August 1997 - 23 August 1997|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> |- | rowspan="1"|1998 ! scope="row"| "Let's Hold On (To Love)" | || — || || || || — | | |- | rowspan="1"|2003 ! scope="row"| "Where Love Lives '03" | || 44 || 5 || || 49 || 16 | |align="left" rowspan="1"|Single only |<ref name="UK Singles"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.officialcharts.com/charts/scottish-singles-chart/20030309/41/|title=Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100 09 March 2003 - 15 March 2003|publisher=Official Charts Company|access-date=13 May 2023}}</ref><ref name="DCS"/> |- | colspan="18" style="font-size:90%"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released. |}

===As featured artist=== * "My Father", "Alone", and "Drugs" with This Mortal Coil from ''Filigree & Shadow'' (1986) * "Andialu", "Nature's Way" with This Mortal Coil from Blood (1991) * "Magic's Back (Theme from ''The Ghosts of Oxford Street'')" with Malcolm McLaren (1991) UK No. 42 * "Love Will Keep Us Together" with James Taylor Quartet (1995) UK No. 63 * "Lead You to Heaven" with And If (2006) * "In the Blood" with X-Press 2 (2012) * "Bye Bye" with Lenny Fontana (2018)

==References== {{reflist}}

==External links== *{{IMDb name|id=0510772|name=Alison Limerick}} *[http://www.blueprint-management.com Blueprint Management] *[http://www.dancecrazy.co.uk Dance Crazy Management] *[https://web.archive.org/web/20040523191545/http://www.vh1.com/artists/az/limerick_alison/artist.jhtml Alison Limerick at Vh1.com]

{{Alison Limerick}} {{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Limerick, Alison}} Category:20th-century Black British women singers Category:20th-century British women singers Category:English house musicians Category:Living people Category:Arista Records artists Category:Singers from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Category:English women in electronic music Category:1959 births Category:People from Stepney